Comb cleaner



R. M. OZABAI..

Aug. 8, 1933.

COMB CLEANER Filed June 16, 1932 Patented Aug. s, 1933 PATENT QFFICE UNITED STATES 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a cleaning .device and will be described as embodied in a comb cleaner.

An object of this invention is the provision oi" an improved cleaning device of the class identified which is adapted to rapidly and thoroughly clean a comb or the like.

Another object is the provision of such a cleaner which is simple of construction and very durable.

A further object is the provision of a comb cleaner, including readily replaceable cleaning elements composed of inexpensive material 'and being economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawing.

On the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a brush assembly in-i corporating my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of that shown in Figure 1 and illustrating the manner by which a comb may be cleaned.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section showing the brush in elevation and taken on substantially the line III- III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end view of that shown in Figure l, and

Figure 5 is an end view of one of the brush elements removed from the supporting device.

As shown on the drawing:

The cleaning device herein shown, for the purpose of illustrating my invention, comprises a brush assembly '7 which includes two substantially cylindrical brush elements 8 consisting of a twisted metal core 9 from which radiates brush bers 10. The brush elements include journal caps 11 fixed on the ends of the core 9 by a tight pressed lit to frictionally hold the caps 11 in place. The caps 11 are provided with anges 12 for engagement with the opposing surfaces of the substantially parallel legs 14 and 15 on the supporting members 16. The supporting member 16 is preferably formed of resilient metal such that it may yield suciently as indicated in broken lines in Figure 3 to permit the replacement of the brush elements when desired. The longitudinally extending portion 17 of the supporting member is preferably arched longitudinally andflaterally for the purpose of stiiening the same and increasing the resistance to the outward exing of the leg 14 for preventing accidental displacement of the brush elements.

The legs 15 of the supporting members are formed integrally with downwardly converging side portions 21 united at 22 forming ahandle which is also resilient and adapted to normally urge the brush elements apart into the position shown in Figure 1. By squeezing the side portions or legs 21 toward each other, the brushes 60 may be caused to interlock and pass through the spaces between the teeth of a comb 25 which may be placed therebetween.

The legs 14 and 15 of the supporting members are provided with substantially circular openings 27 through which the journal or bearing cap 11 extends as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The resiliency of the leg portions 14 and 15 causes them to urge inwardly on the flanges 12 of the journal caps with sufflcient force to prevent their accidental ldisplacement and, at the same time. permitting rotary movement of the journal caps, together with the brushes, with respect to the supporting members.

In the operation of my invention, a comb or the like is placed between tlie cylindrical brush elements in the position shown in Figure 2. 'I'he brushes are brought together by pressure on the handle portions 2l such that the brush fibers pass entirely through the comb in both directions'in a manner to interlock and thoroughly remove all foreign substance from between the teeth. Not only is dirt pushed from between the teeth of the comb, but, by the interlocking action of both brushes, it is practically pulverized and readily washes away when the comb is placed in running water. For accomplishing the cleaning operation, the comb is moved longitudinally back and forward as indicated by the arrow 31, thereby causing a rolling action of the brush elements.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that my invention, as herein described and illustrated, may be modified without departing from the principle of the invention and I desire that the patent to be granted hereon shall not be limited in any manner except as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention;

1. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of engageable and freely rotatable clean- 100 ing elements, a single supporting means for each of said elements for supporting said elements in the same plane and in substantially parallel relation, each said supporting means including a 105 longitudinally extending arched stiffening portion, and means integrally connected with both of said supporting means whereby the distance between said cleaning elements may be varied.

2. A device of the class described comprising a 110 plurality of engageable and freely rotatable Aallel relation, said supporting means comprising substantially U-shaped members embracing said cleaning elements and having apertures adjacent the ends, and bearing members on the ends of said cleaning elements iitted ior rotary movement in the apertures of the supporting members, and means integrally formed with said supporting means whereby the distance between said cleaning elements may be varied.

4. A cleaning device comprising a one-piece sheet metal resilient handle doubled to form diverging legs, brush supporting elements formed integrally with each of said legs, a brush disposed between the ends of said supporting elements, and means cooperating with the ends of said brushes and said supporting elements for' rotatably mounting said brushes therein.

5. A cleaning device comprising a one-piece sheet metal resilient handle doubled to form diverging legs, brush supporting elements formed integrally with each of said legs, a brush disposed between the ends of said supporting elements, and means cooperating with the ends of said brushes and said supporting elements for rotatably mounting said brushes therein, said supporting elements including longitudinally extending stiifening arched portions for increasing the yielding resistance to the accidental displacement of said brushes.

6. A brush assembly comprising a plurality oi substantially cylindrical brushes and means for rotatably supporting said brushes for movement toward and from each other for engagement with a comb and the like tobe cleaned, said means comprising a single piece of resilient material and adapted to normally urge the brushes apart,

said supporting means having two pairs of circular apertures in opposed relation, and Journal caps on the ends of said brushes loosely tted in the apertures for rotatably mounting said brushes.

7. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of engageable and freely rotatable cleaning elements. means for supporting said elements in the same plane and in substantially parallel relation, comprising means extending longitudinally of and embracing said cleaning elements and having apertures adjacent the ends of the cleaning elements. and bearing ,members on the ends of said cleaning elements tted for rotary movement in the apertures in the supporting means.

RUDOLPH M. OZABAL. 

